Maldives will always remain China’s closest partner: Ambassador Fazeel Najeeb
27 ސެޕްޓެމްބަރު 2026 | އާދީއްތަ 10:59Ambassador Fazeel Najeeb highlighted the significant infrastructure advancements achieved in the Maldives under China's Belt and Road Initiative, while emphasizing the need to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in agriculture and technology. He urged the business community to capitalize on the benefits of the Free Trade Agreement and reaffirmed his commitment to elevating the partnership between the two nations through emerging sectors such as education and artificial intelligence.
Ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu met on Sunday, August 31, 2025, in the major Chinese city of Tianjin. | getty images
The Maldives is an active participant in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has yielded significant benefits in infrastructure development and trade, stated Fazeel Najeeb, the Maldivian Ambassador to China. In an exclusive interview with the "Global Times" on Saturday, Ambassador Fazeel expressed full confidence in the enduring partnership between China and the Maldives, noting that bilateral relations are set to strengthen further in the coming years.
Ambassador Fazeel Najeeb stated that the Maldives remains deeply grateful for the assistance received under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He highlighted the successful completion of several landmark projects, including the Sinamale' Bridge and various social housing initiatives that have significantly transformed the lives of the Maldivian people.
Furthermore, the Ambassador touched upon China’s diverse developmental achievements, specifically noting the advancements made in agriculture, technology, and cultural preservation across various regions. He also expressed the Maldives' keen interest in learning from China’s successful methodologies in heritage conservation, following the signing of a new agreement between the two nations to co-host museum exhibitions.
The Maldives National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) told the "Global Times" that China has repeatedly proven to be a reliable partner in the development of the Maldives.
The organization further noted that there are numerous sectors where bilateral cooperation can be strengthened under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Given that China is a primary manufacturing hub and supplier of goods to the Maldives, Ambassador Fazeel encouraged businesses to capitalize on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations. He stated that this agreement would facilitate access to Chinese products at more affordable prices.
Furthermore, he identified education, technology, and artificial intelligence as key areas for potential bilateral collaboration. The Ambassador concluded by reaffirming that the Maldives will always remain a close partner to China, expressing his commitment to strengthening the long-standing friendship and elevating bilateral relations to new heights.
